The Blaze completed a remarkable domestic treble by edging out Hampshire in a heart‑stopping finish to the Metro Bank One Day Cup women’s tournament. Having already lifted the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup earlier in the season, the Trent Bridge‑based side faced a daunting chase of 252 runs in the final and were forced to summon every ounce of resolve in the closing stages.
After a tense final two overs that left them needing 17 runs, and then just two runs off the very last delivery, it was Emma Jones who stepped up, delivering an unbeaten 34 off 25 balls and striking the decisive runs that secured the title. The match began with the Blaze winning the toss and opting to field.
Their bowlers immediately applied pressure, with Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips delivering an exceptionally tight spell that yielded only 11 runs in the first five overs. Despite this early dominance, Hampshire’s opening partnership of the in‑form Maia Bouchier and Ella McCaughan began to steady the ship, stitching together an 84‑run stand that shifted momentum toward the visitors. McCaughan, who had not reached a half‑century since June, found her rhythm and confidently paced the ball to the boundary, reaching her fifty with a series of crisp drives.
Lucy Higham proved instrumental for the Blaze, producing a spell of 4‑49 that helped restrict Hampshire to 251. Her figures marked the third four‑wicket haul she had taken in eight matches since returning from The Hundred, underscoring her growing influence with the ball. The spin duo of Higham and Grace Ballinger proved particularly effective, choking the run‑flow and forcing key dismissals.
After Bouchier was dismissed early—caught on a duck—Hampshire’s middle order, led by McCaughan and Freya Kemp, consolidated with a 67‑run partnership that saw the score climb to 166‑2 by the 32nd over. The Blaze, however, were not to be outdone. Higham continued her incisive spell by claiming the third and fourth wickets of the innings, first stumping Kemp and then trapping Naomi Dattani with a brilliant catch by Kirstie Gordon at mid‑on. Gordon, a spinner who has taken 14 wickets in eight matches since her Hundred comeback, added further credibility to the Blaze’s bowling attack with her sharp fielding and wicket‑taking ability.
Meanwhile, Charley Phillips delivered a rapid three‑over burst, dismissing Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove and Amanda‑Jade Wellington in three successive deliveries, effectively crumbling Hampshire’s lower order and cementing the 251‑run total. When the Blaze began their chase, the opening partnership of Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont set an aggressive tone, accumulating 95 runs with relative ease over the first 15 overs. Their partnership was built on a blend of powerful drives and strategic placement, keeping the required run rate comfortably within reach.
However, Wellington, who had been a key bowler for Hampshire, managed to break the momentum by taking the wickets of both Bryce sisters in quick succession—Sarah was caught at deep square leg, while her sister Kathryn fell spectacularly at slip. Beaumont, a former England opener, continued to anchor the innings alongside Georgia Elwiss.
Despite being dropped three times and surviving a stumping chance, Beaumont displayed composure and skill, adding valuable runs and steering the chase forward. Her luck eventually ran out when Wellington trapped her lbw, delivering a crucial wicket that triggered a mini‑collapse: three wickets fell in the span of 26 balls. With the Blaze still needing 30 runs and the pressure mounting, Kirstie Gordon’s wicket fell next, leaving the side with 17 runs required from the final two overs.
It was at this juncture that Emma Jones, already well‑set with a quickfire 34 off 25 balls, took charge. She unleashed a series of aggressive strokes—a reverse pull that raced to the fence and a straight drive that cleared the boundary—quickly reducing the deficit. Even though a run‑out occurred on the third ball of the final over, Jones remained unfazed. With the equation still tight, she executed a perfectly timed sweep that sent the ball racing to the rope on the final delivery, sealing a two‑run victory for the Blaze and completing their domestic treble.
The triumph was not merely a testament to individual brilliance but also to the collective depth of the Blaze squad. Their ability to bounce back after early setbacks, the strategic use of bowlers like Higham, Ballinger, Phillips and Gordon, and the resilience displayed by the batting line‑up—particularly the partnership between Bryce, Beaumont, Elwiss and Jones—highlighted a well‑balanced side capable of thriving under pressure. Beyond the immediate excitement, this win adds a historic chapter to the Blaze’s burgeoning legacy in women’s county cricket.
Securing the Metro Bank One Day Cup alongside the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup places them among the few teams to achieve a domestic treble in a single season, reflecting both consistency and adaptability across formats. The performance also serves as a showcase for emerging talent, with players like Emma Jones and Lucy Higham cementing their reputations as match‑winners. Looking ahead, the Blaze will aim to maintain this high standard as they prepare for upcoming fixtures and potentially national selection considerations.
Their success this season demonstrates the growing competitiveness and skill level in women’s cricket, offering fans an increasingly thrilling product and providing a platform for players to develop further. With the confidence derived from this treble, the Blaze are poised to continue challenging for honors and inspiring the next generation of cricketers.